Click “Next” at the bottom of the page to see all the highlights from tonight’s game!
After one of the most embarrassing losses in recent Cleveland memory, the Cavs responded by methodically dominating the Brooklyn Nets in a road win tonight by the score of 91-78. The Cavs were all business from the outset in this one, playing with an energy and focus level that fans were hoping for on Monday night against the Warriors. Kevin Love was particularly scrutinized after the 34-point loss on Monday for his poor performance, but tonight was a different story for both he and the rest of the Cavs’ Big Three.
Love set the tone for his play early in this one as he took a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double in at halftime. His energy was better, and he was utilizing his skill in multiple ways. He scored with his back to the basket, off the dribble, and was able to attack and get to the free throw line by playing smart basketball on the offensive end. He only made one shot from behind the 3-point line for the entire game, but still finished with 18 points and 18 rebounds, showing that he can be very effective when the Cavs take advantage of his total skill set. LeBron James and Kyrie Irving came to play as well, combining for 20 points and six assists in the first half.
The victory for the Cavs was earned on the defensive end in this one. The Nets struggled to make anything happen on offense tonight, thanks in large part to the focus and energy of the Cavs, who were clearly out to make a point that their loss to the Warriors was not indicative of the kind of team that they are. For the game, the Nets shot 41% from the field, and an awful 21% from behind the arc. The Cavs outrebounded them by six, and only allowed them to get to the free throw line 8 times.
LeBron finished the game with 17 points and five assists, and Tristan Thompson had a double-double of his own with 14 points and 10 rebounds. The Big Three of Love, LeBron and Kyrie didn’t set foot on the court in the fourth quarter, as the game was in hand and the second team continued the lockdown defense that had sealed the win. The rest will hopefully be valuable as the Cavs welcome the LA Clippers to Cleveland tomorrow night in another battle against a western conference powerhouse.
The win tonight runs the Cavs record to 29-11, which is good enough for a 3.5 game lead in the eastern conference. The turning point for the Cavs season last year came after LeBron returned from injury and the team was 19-20. The 39th game of the current season was a demoralizing 34-point loss at home, and hopefully will set the Cavs on a run similar to the one they went on last year.
Click “Next” to see all the highlights from tonight’s game!
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Kevin Love knocks the ball away, Tristan Thompson recovers and plays point guard before dishing to LeBron James for the big time dunk!
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LeBron skies for the sweet, two-handed flush! #CavsNation #Cavs #Nets #NBA pic.twitter.com/Y0SPHKKWJt
— Cavs Nation (@CavsNationNet) January 21, 2016
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Cavs run a beautiful inbound pass with Kevin Love getting the ball and handing back off to the inbounding LeBron James. Kyrie Irving then sets a backscreen for Love, who dives to the basket. James finds him with a gorgeous alley oop and Love finishes strong at the rim.
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LeBron James alley oop to Kevin Love! #CavsNation #Cavs #Nets #NBA pic.twitter.com/jEbC5XnHSb
— Cavs Nation (@CavsNationNet) January 21, 2016
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J.R. Smith with the move and the scoop layup